.wmf File — Windows Metafile

WMF (Windows Metafile) is a vector graphics format native to the Windows operating system, introduced with Windows 3.0 in 1990. WMF files record a sequence of GDI (Graphics Device Interface) function calls that describe vector shapes, text, and bitmap images, allowing the image to be replayed at any resolution. The format supports basic drawing primitives including lines, rectangles, ellipses, arcs, polygons, bezier curves, text rendering, and bitmap blitting. WMF was widely used for clip art, diagrams, and graphics interchange between Windows applications, particularly in the Microsoft Office ecosystem where it served as the standard vector format for many years. The format has significant limitations compared to modern vector formats — it lacks support for transparency, anti-aliasing, gradients, and complex path operations. WMF also has a history of security vulnerabilities that have been exploited for malware delivery. The format has been largely superseded by EMF (Enhanced Metafile) and SVG for modern applications, but remains encountered in legacy documents and clip art collections.